When Southern University started practice Sunday, two days after its 62-13 season-opening loss to the University of Houston, the Jaguars were greeted by the hottest temperatures of the summer. The conditions, coupled with the loss, weren’t conducive for a productive practice, Southern coach Dawson Odums said.

“It might have been 104 degrees with the equipment but no one complained,’’ Odums said. “We had a good practice Sunday. Same thing, hot Monday, and we had a good practice.

“I believe these guys are hungry for a win.’’

The Jaguars will find the playing field more level this week. Southern travels to Natchitoches on Saturday to face Northwestern State University (1-0) at 6 p.m. Like Southern, the Demons are on FCS school, playing in the Southland Conference.

And like Southern, Northwestern is coming off a disappointing 4-7 season in 2012. They have a new coach, Jay Thomas, and a lot of new players, including quarterback Zach Adkins.

The Demons opened the 2013 season on the road last week, rallying for a 23-17 victory against Missouri State.

The game has a bit of a rivalry feel even though the teams haven’t played since 2002.

Odums acknowledged the importance of knocking off an in-state FCS opponent. But his primary concern is improvement from last week’s performance.

The Jaguars were clearly out-manned by the FBS Cougars in Houston last week. But Odums lamented the mistakes made by his team. He thought it made Houston’s margin of victory bigger than it should have been.

Southern gave the Cougars plenty of help with four turnovers and a lost muffed punt. They also committed 10 penalties for 91 yards and the performance of the special teams lacked greatly.

So Odums said the Jaguars have spent much of the week cleaning up the errors as they prepare for Northwestern.

“I think our guys represented Southern really well (against Houston),’’ Odums said. “We played hard. Just too many mistakes. You turn the ball over six times, including the fourth-down conversion we didn’t get, it creates that opportunity for the short field. You can’t do that against a good football team.

“Offensively, we moved the ball but we kept shooting ourselves in the foot with a penalty or a turnover. I think if we clean up those things, you’ll see a different football team going towards Northwestern.’’

Northwestern’s victory against Missouri State was a good beginning for Thomas, especially the way the Demons came back. They trailed 17-10 midway through the third quarter before rallying. A turnover deep in Missouri State territory set up the tying touchdown.

Then the Demons stopped Missouri State on downs at the Northwestern 20 with the Bears driving for the possible go-ahead score with 3:27 to play.

“It gave our team a lot of confidence that we can come from behind,’’ said Thomas, who is from Baker, just around the corner from Southern’s Baton Rouge campus. “That we can play good defense from behind, that was the great thing about our team. Being able to come from behind, tie the game, being able to take the lead, it fits with everything you’re doing in the first year with all the new schemes. It solidifies what we’re trying to get done. It was a turning point for our team.’’

Odums seeks that turning point for the Jaguars this week. It was about a year ago that Southern lost to New Mexico, 66-21, in the season opener then fell to Mississippi Valley, 6-0, in the second game. Southern coach Stump Mitchell was then fired and Odums named the interim coach for the duration of the 2012 season.

But Odums thinks there is no comparison to last year. He thinks his team is more mature and ready for success.

“Guys like (cornerback) Virgil Williams, (linebacker) Anthony Balancier, (quarterback) Dray Joseph, (wide receiver) Lee Doss, they understand,’’ Odums said. “They’re ready to win and have success. The key is keeping what we do positive and not having the negative take us back. I think we’re an improved football team.’’